Marinos Malisianos That's a splendid film. Superb acting, excellent directing. For the first time I saw this film in 1965, in Greece (we had no TV at the time) and it was really a fantastic play. Although the story -a real drama- contained just two actors, I had no problem to follow it with the utmost interest. The general plan of this story was somehow copied later, in other films. As far as my country is concerned I think this certain film was never played on TV (or at least it may have been played once (?) during the last 50 years (!!). Unfortunately, I've just seen (on IMDb) the Greek translation of the title. But it's wrong. It's not "O strangalistis" but "O syllektis". In Greek "strangalistis" means "strangler".

lasttimeisaw William Wyler's outstanding psychological chamber drama is a unique two-hander between a young butterfly collector Freddie Clegg (Stamp) and his victim, Miranda Grey (Eggar), an art school student with whom he has been obsessed since their school days in Reading, England.A windfall falls upon to a lonesome Freddie, an introvert bank clerk fascinated by entomology, using the money he has won from a lottery, he buys an estate in the remote countryside, where he lives alone with (almost) no exterior interference. Thus facilities his plan to kidnap Miranda and locks her up in the basement which functions as a breeding ground for her to get to know about him and eventually fall in love with him, yet it is horse sense that this is only his wishful thinking. After the initial shock, Miranda starts to reason with him as Freddie appears to be not life- threatening to her, in fact, he is awfully kind, willing to provide her anything except freedom, finally they reach a four-week agreement under the circumstances, but it is totally at the mercy of Freddie's whimsy whether he will keep his promise, at the same time, Miranda pits her wits against her captor of every possible chance to escape or seek help. The mind game is played out with gusto and suspense even though viewers are fully aware that Miranda's nightmare cannot arrive its finish line that easy.Meanwhile, a tentative proceeding of mutual-understanding and affection-naturing is conducted during the period, Miranda begins to paint with Freddie as the live model, and Freddie shows her his butterfly collection, a cheery occasion has been shaped up until the agreed day of Miranda's release, it is at that moment, the imminent feeling of despair hits hard on her, she might never get out of it alive. In the ensuing days, she puts to good use of everything (from participating a sincere debate of art, as a sign of her own willingness to communicate with him in a deeper level, to the last resort, sex), to please and convince him that she is in complete submission to be what he wants her to become. Only if she were a better actress, a final blood-spurting resistance fails because she is not a cold-blooded slayer at any rate.THE COLLECTOR sparks off a incredible duel between Stamp and Eggar: the former, impeccably embodies his twisted psyche with his good-look and inviting timidity, terrifying but in a rather charming poise, even manages to generate a certain commiseration for such an unlovable role, a psychopath who doesn't resort to violence but beguilingly tortures his prey to the last breath with a tyrannical cruelty; the latter, who is honoured with an Oscar nomination (together with two other nominations for Wyler and its screenplay), counter-acts Stamp's vicious perverseness with her exhaustive range of portraying a prisoner inflicted by Stockholm syndrome and soon cornered at the ends of her wits, an Agnus Dei figure succumbs to the pure evil of our world. Both are supremely impressive achievements and acknowledged by Cannes that year.Wyler admirably resists any poetic justice to dampen the staggering ending which is diametrically in opposition to any major studio offerings. Underlined by Jarre's emotion-channeling score, THE COLLECTOR has never slumped into a tiresome drag, not for a minute, on top of its minimal milieu and an almost 2-hour length, it withstands the test of time and turns out to be a thrilling cautionary tale, which would only be matched by George Slugger's equally uncompromising THE VANISHING (1988).

dacuda When I recently saw "The Collector" 1965 on Fearnet OnDemand. I didn't know what to expect as the main male character collects butterflies and is a Bank Clerk played by Terrence Stamp. Where could this go? I thought and little did I Know I was Taken on a Deep Reaching Emotion Filled Trip!As the overly-withdrawn bank clerk decides to get a certain woman for a permanent date of sorts!This is when one is taken on the Trying Emotional Trip That is done excellently by the pacing of the movie to let one feel they are going through this situation themselves and getting into the character of the Woman played by Samantha Eggar as well by odd enough in spots for the man- Terrance Stamp!I was actually stunned by this movie and will always have feelings for the female character and highly recommend, bringing to life what these captured Women go through in a situation that still unfortunately continues and would help one to understand what these women go through!It's Effectively Emotionally Disturbing and one should watch it in quiet when they won't be disturbed and this is the Best Way to watch this to Feel the Full Impact of the Situation Yourself!Not many movies in Fact no new ones bring out the Emotions in me like this one did! Only a 60's Classic like this can Leave Me Stunned in Real Life!Totally Top! In Fact Samatha Eggar and Terrance Stamp Won Awards for this well deserved! Samatha Eggar received a nomination for The Academy Award for Best Actress for "The Collector" Directed by William Wyler also did win Cannes Film Festival Best Actress Award The Golden Globe Award for Best Actress- Motion Picture Drama The Sant Jordi Award for Best Performances in a Foreign Film Among others, as well from the fans and people that saw this realistic slice of Human Culture As Unfortunate as it is! Another interesting note is that the Movie was original 3 hours in length so 61 minutes got cut out!There was a different ending made also but it was not used for effect and a good choice for true impact! I would like to see a restored version but at that perhaps Thats what made it be such a Stunner as released!! So Brilliant on that! As I know that can be drastic to meaning of movie as well the Producer and Director and the Stars for sure!It's completely worthy as released for a fact! Please watch it by yourself in the dark with no disturbances because you will become disturbed by this Classic!Excellently played by Samatha Eggar!Samantha Eggar is engrossing and you feel for her character in the movie!I noticed elements of later movies apparently that were influenced to copy!

Claudio Carvalho After winning a large amount in the pool in Reading, the outcast bank clerk and entomologist Freddie Clegg (Terence Stamp) buys an isolated house in the countryside. He stalks the art student Miranda Grey (Samantha Eggar) in London and uses chloroform to kidnap and bring her in his van to his house. The sociopath Freddie locks Miranda in the cellar and she discovers that he has had an unrequited crush on her since they were teenagers. Freddie promises to respect Miranda with his platonic love and to release her in a month on June, 11th. He shows also his collection of butterflies carefully kept in a room. However, Miranda feels that she is another collectible species only for the deranged man that feels power and control with the situation and he has no intention to let her go. "The Collector" is another masterpiece of William Wyler that has been copycatted along the years by filmmakers that presently add violence, torture and gore to the plot. The performances of Terence Stamp and Samantha Eggar are top-notch in this theatrical film and they succeed to carry alone the whole story. I can not precisely tell how many times I have watched this film, but the last time I had seen it was on 07 October 2000. Surprisingly "The Collector" has only been released in Brazil in a rare VHS, a pride and joy of my collection. My vote is ten.Title (Brazil): "O Colecionador" ("The Collector")Note: On 03 May 2013, I saw this movie again, now on an imported Blu- Ray.